How do you import a car from Japan to Spain, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Spain charges 0% duty under the EU-Japan agreement, 21% VAT and the CO2-banded registration tax (IEDMT), modelled here at 0–14.75% by engine size, about 26% of CIF for a 1.5-litre petrol car. There is no age limit; the car needs ITV inspection and homologation before registration.
Car import duty calculator for Spain
Spain has no EU-wide age cap on used-car imports, and both left- and right-hand drive vehicles can be registered, making the full range of Japanese domestic stock available to Spanish buyers. Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty is 0% with valid Japan-origin proof, and 21% Spanish VAT (IVA) applies on the imported value. Cars typically arrive at the Port of Barcelona, Spain's main roll-on/roll-off vehicle terminal on the Mediterranean coast.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Spain?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No age cap. IEDMT (matriculación) is CO2-banded on the car's Spanish market value; ITV inspection + homologation before registration.
- Inspection
- Customs declaration; ITV roadworthiness/homologation; IEDMT settlement (Modelo 576); registration.
- Permits
- EU-Japan EPA origin proof for 0% duty.
- Special rules
- IEDMT is 0% below 120 g/km CO2, so efficient small cars pay no registration tax. Canary Islands/Ceuta/Melilla rates differ.
- Entry ports
- Barcelona
How do you import a car from Japan to Spain, step by step?
Check the import rules
No age cap. IEDMT (matriculación) is CO2-banded on the car's Spanish market value; ITV inspection + homologation before registration. Spain accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
Obtain the import permit
EU-Japan EPA origin proof for 0% duty.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in Spain.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Spain: Customs declaration; ITV roadworthiness/homologation; IEDMT settlement (Modelo 576); registration.
Ship to Barcelona
Cars from Japan arrive at Barcelona. Sea transit is about 36–43 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses Import duty, VAT and Registration tax; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Spain's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Spain charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EU-Japan EPA) | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT (IVA 21%) | 21% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Registration tax (IEDMT, estimated from engine size) | 0%–14.75% by engine size | CIF value |
Import duty (EU-Japan EPA)
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (IVA 21%)
Rate: 21%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Registration tax (IEDMT, estimated from engine size)
Rate: 0% up to 1,000 cc; 4.75% up to 1,500 cc; 9.75% up to 2,000 cc; 14.75% above 2,000 cc. Charged on: CIF value.
Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% when valid origin documentation is accepted at customs; without it, standard TARIC/MFN duty can apply. On top of duty comes 21% Spanish IVA (VAT) on the imported value. Spain also charges a vehicle registration tax (IEDMT) at the time of first registration, based on CO2 emissions — this is separate from import duty and can be significant for higher-emission vehicles.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Spain?
Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | RoRo or container | 36–43 | US$1,350 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Spain?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A practical hatchback with hybrid and petrol versions — low fuel costs and a compact footprint work well in Spanish cities.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
Well-finished interior and a small efficient engine — keeps both running costs and the CO2-based registration tax low.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and easy to run, with strong resale appeal — a straightforward import for buyers keeping an eye on the overall budget.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A reliable compact sedan from Japan's domestic lineup — widely maintained and a sensible choice for everyday Spanish driving.
- Models and prices
Daihatsu Mira
Tiny kei car with ultra-low CO2 — minimal registration tax and very cheap to run in dense urban environments.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Spain?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | Barcelona | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Madrid | Barcelona | US$420 | US$520 | 3 |
| Valencia | Barcelona | US$4,360 | US$5,450 | 10 |
| Seville | Barcelona | US$600 | US$750 | 3 |
| Bilbao | Barcelona | US$400 | US$500 | 3 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Spain?
- No — there is no EU-wide age cap for private imports. The car must clear customs, pass conformity and roadworthiness checks, and meet Spanish registration requirements before it can be driven.
- Do I pay import duty on a Japanese car in Spain?
- Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty is 0% with valid Japan-origin proof. You also pay 21% IVA (VAT) on the imported value, plus the CO2-based IEDMT vehicle registration tax that varies by the car's emissions rating.
- Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in Spain?
- Yes. Spain permits both left- and right-hand drive for private imports. A right-hand-drive Japanese car can be registered once conformity and roadworthiness checks are passed.
Sources
- Agencia Tributaria — Registration tax (IEDMT) — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Spain — checked 15 October 2026
- trade.gov — Spain Import Tariffs — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Spain
Loading calculator…
Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.